by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

When Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo heard the news on Thursday afternoon that Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin would not take part in this summer's FIBA World Cup tournament, the element of surprise that he endured was all too familiar.

"I'm disappointed he's not going to be with us," Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports. "It's unfortunate (because) it's been two competitions in a row (that Griffin has missed), but it sounds like a broken record because it happened recently with someone else."

The other player Colangelo was referring to was Portland Trailblazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and the unexpected absence of both elite players means that â?? from Colangelo to Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski on down â?? the program must now find a way to make up for a serious dearth of frontcourt talent. Team USA starts its training camp on Monday in Las Vegas, with the roster of 19 players to be whittled down to 12 in time for the FIBA World Cup tournament in Spain that begins on August 30. If Team USA can win the gold medal in Spain, they would receive an automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics and would not have to take part in the 2015 FIBA World Cup.

Yet at this rate, winning gold may be much tougher than it originally appeared. Before Aldridge decided not to play for Team USA, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook declined his invitation because of health concerns and San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard opted to rest after his team's long championship run. Colangelo was able to make a key addition, however, as he confirmed an ESPN.com report that Washington Wizards point guard John Wall will be added to the updated training camp roster that has yet to be announced.

The absence of Aldridge and Griffin, Colangelo said, meant he'll now be on the lookout for young big men looking to take advantage of the opportunity. The lone remaining power forwards who are expected to participate from the Team USA roster are Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves). There are also talented forwards on the Select team that will compete against Team USA in Las Vegas, including Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), rookie Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls) and Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic).

"There's a reason for having a national team roster, and having a list of talented athletes who are on the national team roster, because there are so many variables," Colangelo said. "It just opens up an opportunity for somebody else. I'm very open minded, so it could be someone who comes in from the (Team USA) Select team. Who knows? We want to present the best team we possibly can. But there's no additional player from outside this group that we're going to add at this point."

With healthy players like Aldridge and Griffin pulling out in order to focus on their forthcoming NBA seasons, the silver lining for Team USA is that Derrick Rose remains on track to take part. The Chicago Bulls point guard has played just 49 games in the last two seasons because of devastating ACL and meniscus injuries, but Colangelo said he is expected to take part in Las Vegas and thereafter.

"I haven't heard anything relative to Derrick other than he's going to be there," Colangelo said.

Still, Colangelo admitted, losing Griffin came as a surprise.

"We didn't have any indication that there was even a possibility of a change in plans (from Griffin)," said Colangelo, who was told of Griffin's decision in the early afternoon on Thursday.

Griffin took part in the 2012 training camp in Las Vegas, but suffered a medial meniscus tear midway through the week-long session and ultimately had surgery that kept him from taking part in the gold medal run in the Beijing Olympics.